Controllable spray dispenser



y 27, 1952 A. o. SAMUELS ET AL 2,598,30

CONTROL-LIABLE SPRAY DISPENSER Filed Jan. 20, 1950 INVENTOR. ABEO.SAMUELS AND BY SAMUEL KAHN m ,fobwmwl ,WUHA PBAIUWAN ATTORNEYSPatented May 27, 1952 UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE CQNTRQLLABLE SPRAYDISPENSER Application January 20, 195.0, Serial No. 139,748

9 Claims. 1-

invention relates to an improved control for a pressure sprayer and,particularly, toa sprayer control adaptable to a self-dispensing orpressurized container characterized by three positions of spray control,namely, an oii or locked position, an intermittent or push-buttonposition, and an automatic continuous position.

A considerable'variety of self-dispensing pressurized liquid sprayersare on the market today. Most of these conventional sprayers operate ina similar manner, that isto say, a liquid is pres surizedin ahermetically sealed container and released as desired by actuating avalve opening the discharge tube. Most valves of this nature protrudefrom the pressurized receptacleand are of the simple pistontype. Theyfunction, i. e., open, when the valve is unseated by the exertion of apressure on the top or external end of the valve piston. The valve, keptin position by the internal pressure of the container and the action ofa spring, is unseated in-a continuous or intermittent manner dependingupon the desire of the operator. The liquid in the container thenescapes through the discharge tube and into an atomizing nozzle andfinally in a fine stream out of the nozzle. The-pressure exerted at thtop of the valve is usually accomplished by depressing a small rubberdiaphragm or similar activator with the operators finger.

However, valves of this type become difiicult to operate after prolongeduse due to fatigue of the operator. That is to say, it is extremelydifficult to'maintain a continuous or constant pressure by the use ofthe operatorsfinger on the valve diaphragm for any great length of timeand hence the desired spray, i. e., intermittent or continuous, isdijicult to regulate. In addition, due to the lack in most cases of aprotective covering for the rubber diaphragm actuating the valve,accidental discharge of the contents of the liquid container are broughtabout by contact of an object with the rubber diaphragm.

We have invented an improved control for valves of this=typ whichrenders the valve actuating device susceptible to continuous orintermittent operation as desired and, further, provides for a safety oroil position in which position it is impossible to accidentallydischarge the valve. Essentially, we provide a hollow cap which fits'over a protruding portion of a valve mechanism actuated by exerting apressure on the top thereof, and which valve mechanism contains a lu'glocated at the side of the protruding portion. The hollow cap has alug-engaging "groove inthe side wall, the groove having at one end anoverhanging portion adapted to hold said lug a predetermined distancebelow the top of the cap, an unobstructed center portion, and anunderlying cam rising in elevation toward its other end adapted to camthe lug toward the top of said cap, and a projection at the base of thecap spaced substantially degrees from the overhanging portion of thegroove. The cap isthus constructed so as to provide thre positions ofcontrol for a valve actuating mechanism. The initialor oii position isattained when the slotted or grooved side portion of the cap containingan overhanging portion is contacted with the lug on the side of thevalve and when the projection at the base of the cap, located 180degrees from the lug-containing section, is contacted with the top ofthe container. In this way it is impossible for the operator to pressorrelease the valve, since the overhanging portion andthe projection atthe base of the cap render the cap immobile in a downward direction.However, upon rotation of the cap a few degrees, the overhanging portionis taken out of contact with the lug and the interior of the cap iscontacted with the actuating part of the valve. In this way aslight'pressure on the top of the cap actuates the valve. The relativlack of depth of the projection at the base of the cap does not preventthe cap from now moving downward and thus an intermitten spray isprovided as desired. A third position or type of spray, i. e., anautomatic continuous spray, is accomplished by pressing down on the capwhich then releases the valve actuatin mechanism and commences a spray,and rotating the cap further in the same direction so that the lug atthe side of the valve slips into an angularly positioned cam. The valveis rotated in this direction until the lug is cammed toward the top ofthe cap, re sulting in a continuousautomatic spray until the cap isrotated or returned to either the first or second position.

Most advantageously, the cap is made out of a readily molded plasticormachined metal, for instance, a plastic. The cap preferably has a mattedexternal surface to provide a surer degree of contact between the capand the operators finger. The sides of the cap may contain reeds so asto facilitate turning by preventing slippage when gripped by theoperators fingers. The cam portion of the side slot is out at such anangle so as to fit the particular lug on the valve. The length anddegree of slope of the cam and itsangularly positioned side wall dependon the shape and size of thelug. Most advantageously, the'lug may be theatoinizing nozzle'of the valve, although it does not necessarily have tobe in this form. A pointer or indicator may be placed on the peripheryof any portion of the side wall or top of the cap so that the operatormay determine accurately what position or positions he desires toattain. In addition, we provide for a numerical marking and lettering onthe external portion of the container facing the operator and adjacentto the cap so as to facilitate a, simple operation of the control orswitch.

In the accompanying drawings we have illustrated this control or switchas adapted to a valve and valve actuating mechanism constructed from theconventional "tin can of commerce. The can advantageously containsdished ends so as to better withstand pressure and, at the same time, toeliminate projections above the plane of the side wall. In thesedrawings the control or switch of our invention is advantageouslyconstructed of an easily molded plastic.

Figure l is a perspective view illustrating a preferred embodiment ofthe cap or control, showing its construction in detail.

Figure 2 is a top view of a pressurized receptacle containing aconventional discharge valve before my cap or controlhas been insertedthereon.

Figure 3 is a top view of a pressurized receptacle and conventionaldischarge valve upon which has been placed our cap, and which furtherillustrates the locked or No. 1 position. This figure also illustratesthe placement of spraying instructions upon the dished closure plate.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken across section 5-5 of Figure 3illustrating the position of the cap in relation to the discharge valvewhen it is in the locked or No. 1 position.

Figure l is a detailed perspective view of a preferred embodiment of mycontrol. The control comprises essentially a hollow cap composed of acylindrical side wall In in which there is located an irregularly shapedlug-engaging groove or slot H. Most advantageously, at the base of thecylindrical side wall In is located an arrow or indicator I2. thecylindrical cap is preferably matted. Reeds l4 are provided at thejunction of the side wall with the top so as to facilitate turning. Theinside of the cap, illustrated more clearly in the cross-sectional viewof Figure 4, contains at the top a projection or mound I5 so as tofacilitate contact with the rubber diaphragm [6 of a valve actuatingmechanism with which this cap is here used in illustration. In addition,the inside of the cap has an annular periphery I! which ex- 9 tendsdownwardly in the same direction as the mound or projection IE, butterminates shortly before the maximum downward extremity of the mound.This annular periphery l1 contacts an identical annular portion 25 onthe face of the valve mechanism of the pressurized container, therebyproviding a sure degree of contact when the valve is actuated and,further, prevents the projection from descending excessively into therubber diaphragm. The lug-engaging groove H in the cylindrical side wallcontains at one extremity an overhanging section (8 parallel to the topof the cap extends for a short distance in the slot and is designed tohold a lug on the valve actuating mechanism 26, for example, theprotruding atomizer nozzle 24, a predetermined distance below the top ofthe cap. The lower side of the cylindrical side wall may be indentedbelow the overhanging portion l8 at point l9 so as to provide for thelug on the valve with which the The top or upper surface 13 ofoverhanging portion is contacted. The middle or central portion 20 inthe grooved side wal1 is free from any obstructions and represents themaximum width of the slot. Commencing at the other extremity of the slotis an underlying cam or ascending side wall 21 angularly positionedwhere necessary at 22 so as to provide a close fit with the lug locatedon the valve. This portion is adapted to cam the lug toward the top ofthe cap. On the base or bottom of the periphery of the cap is aprojection 23 located substantially degrees from the overhanging portion13 of the grooved side wall and illustrated more clearly by the cut-awaysection of Figure 1.

Figure 2 illustrates a top view of a conventional valve and valveactuating mechanism located upon a pressurized receptacle for which ourcontrol is readily adaptable. The valve comprises essentially anatomizing nozzle 24 and a protruding actuating mechanism 25 operated byrubber diaphragm It. A slight external pressure upon the rubberdiaphragm so as to depress it moves the piston in the valve so as tocounteract the eifect of the pressure in the container and of a springusually employed therein, thereby unseating the piston and opening thedischarge tube or nozzle.

Figure 3 illustrates in detail a top view of our control cap locatedupon a self-dispensing type pressurized container containing a valve asillustrated in Figure 2 and shows clearly the three positions of sprayobtainable by use of this control. The cap is easily inserted or slippedover the lug on the container valve and placed in posi tion. Mostadvantageously, and as herein illustrated, the nozzle acts as the lugproviding for the off or locked position. The locked or No. 1 positionis obtained when the overhanging portion 18 of the grooved side wall His firmly contacted with the nozzle 24 of the sprayer and when theprojection 23 at the base of the cap is contacted with the surface ofthe container. In this way it is impossible to exert a downward pressureonthe cap since the overhanging section of the grooved side wall and theprojection at the base of the cap combine to render such a downwardmotion impossible. Thus operation of the sprayer is prevented and inthis way accidental discharge is rendered impossible. To obtain anintermittent or push-button spray, the cap is rotated counterclockwiseso that the nozzle 24 is located more or less in the center of thegroove H. In this way a slight pressure on the matted surface of the capis transmitted to the rubber diaphragm l6 and the valve is opened. Theprojection or mound 15 on the inside of the cap permits an immediateoperation of the valve with a minimum degree of pressure. An excessivelowering of this mound into the rubber diaphragm is prevented by the useof the annular shaped seat I! on the inside of the cap which iscontacted with a similar annular portion 25 on the top of the valve.Should the operator desire a continuous automatic spray, the mattedsurface 13 of the cap is pressed down and rotated even further in acounterclockwise direction. The initial pressure exerted before turningcommences the spray, since it depresses the rubber diaphragm, By a slowmovement in a counterclockwise direction the nozzle or lug 24 is slowlybrought into contact with the angularly positioned cam side wall 2| andwhen tightly contacted provides an automatic continuous spray withoutnecessity of finger control by the operator, since the nozzle is tightlycammed toward 5 the top of the cap. Release of the cap to either the oneor two position again is simply accomplished by turning the cap to thedesired position.

In order to facilitate operation of a self-dispensing sprayer of thistype in a combination with our control or switch, it is mostadvantageous to denote the dififerent positions of spray upon thesurface of the cam immediately contiguous to the cap. This may bereadily accomplished by the use of a cardboard insert which informs theoperator as to the relative position and, further, the direction ofspray. Of course, the quantity of instructions and appropriate markingsare completely within the discretion of the manufacturer.

Likewise, the cap may be constructed so as to provide only two positionsof spray control. In particular, it may be advantageous to provide onlya locked or oil position and a push-button or intermittent spray or,additionally, only a push-button or intermittent spray with a continuousspray. To provide a spray control containing only a locked or ofi"position and an intermittent spray, the groove in the side wall of thehollow cap is so constructed as to contain only an overhanging portionadapted to hold the lug a predetermined distance below the top of thecap and an unobstructed portion, and a projection at the base of the capspaced substantially 180 degrees from the overhanging portion of thegroove. n the other hand, to provide an intermittent or push-buttonspray with a continuous spray, the groove in the side wall of the hollowcap contains only an unobstructed portion and an underlying cam risingin elevation adapted to cam the lug toward the top of the cap. Thus inthis manner, our control cap is made readily selective for only twopositions of spray control depending upon the desired use of thecontents of the pressurized container.

We claim:

1. In combination with a protruding portion of a valve mechanismactuated by exerting a pressure on the top thereof and a lug located atthe side of said protruding portion, a hollow cap fitting over saidprotruding portion and said lug, said cap having a lug-engaging groovein the side wall thereof, said groove having at one end an overhangingportion adapted to hold said lug a predetermined distance below the topof said cap, an unobstructed center portion, and an underlying camrising in elevation toward its other end adapted to cam said lug towardthe top of said cap, and a projection at the base of the cap spacedsubstantially 180 degrees from the said overhanging portion of saidgroove.

2. The combination of a valve mechanism, 2. lug, and a hollow controlcap as described in claim 1 wherein the lug is the atomizing nozzle ofthe valve, the cam is angularly positioned so as to provide a close fitwith the nozzle and wherein the cap contains a position indicator.

3. The combination of a valve mechanism, a lug, and a hollow control capas described in claim 1 wherein the top of the hollow cap contains adownwardly projecting mound upon its internal surface surrounded by anannular flat portion slightly less in elevation than the mound.

4. In combination with a protruding portion of a Valve mechanismactuated by exerting a pressure on the top thereof and a lug located atthe side of said protruding portion, a hollow cap fitting over saidprotruding portion and said lug, said cap having a groove in the sidewall thereof, said groove having an overhanging portion adapted to holdsaid lug a predetermineddistance below the top of said cap and anunobstructed portion, and a projection at the base of the cap spacedsubstantially degrees from the said overhanging portion of said groove.

5. The combination of a valve mechanism, a

lug, and a hollow control cap as described in claim 4 wherein the top ofthe hollow cap contains a downwardly projecting mound upon its internalsurface surrounded by an annular flat portion slightly less in elevationthan the mound.

6. In combination with a protruding portion of a valve mechanismactuated by exerting a pressure on the top thereof and a lug located atthe side of said protruding portion, a hollow cap fitting over saidprotruding portion and said lug, said cap having a groove in the sidewall thereof, said groove having an unobstructed portion and anunderlying cam rising in elevation towards its other end adapted to camsaid lug toward the top of said cap.

7. The combination of a valve mechanism, a lug, and a hollow control capas described in claim 6 wherein the lug is the atomizing nozzle of thevalve, the cam is angularly positioned so as to provide a close fit withthe nozzle and wherein the cap contains a position indicator.

8. The combination of a valve mechanism, a lug, and a hollow control capas described in claim 6 wherein the top of the hollow cap contains adownwardly projecting mound upon its internal surface surrounded by anannular fiat portion slightly less in elevation than the mound.

9. A device for controlling the operation of a valve mechanism having alug located at its side and adapted to be operated by the exertion ofpressure upon its top, which comprises a hollow cap adapted to fit oversaid valve mechanism and said lug, said cap having a lug-engaging groovein the side wall thereof, said groove having at one end an overhangingportion adapted to hold said lug a predetermined distance below the topof the cap, an unobstructed center portion, and an underlying cam risingin elevation toward its other end adapted when the cap is on a valvemechanism to cam said lug toward the top of said cap.

ABE O. SAMUELS. SAMUEL KAHN.

REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Botheim Apr. 7, 1931Number

